Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council

Part of 2. Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Public Services – in the Senedd at 2:25 pm on 3 October 2018.

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Photo of Alun Davies Alun Davies Labour 2:25, 3 October 2018

I do agree with that, and the Member will know from his own experience that local authorities in Wales have been protected in a way that they haven't been in England. Whilst we have some very difficult, sometimes, conversations at our various meetings with local government, do you know, I am still yet to the local government leaders say, 'What we need is the policies that are being delivered across the border in England'? So, we are doing our best to protect local government, but I also recognise that that is difficult for local authority leaders at the moment, and that it will continue to be difficult for some time in the future. I am confident that the current funding formula and funding structures we have in place mean that Neath Port Talbot, as with all other local authorities, get what they're entitled to—get a fair settlement—although it isn't the settlement that neither they nor I would wish to deliver. We heard from the Prime Minister this morning, saying that the age of austerity was over. Well, I'm looking forward to seeing her cheque book.